About Us

Rushing Water Adventures opened in 2012. It was the idea of Ken Gradall, who first moved to Djibouti in January 2011 to volunteer with a Djiboutian association called CAB (The Coordination of the Associations of Balbala). As the group discussed how to best meet the needs of the Djiboutian people, it was decided the greatest needs were education, job training, and employment. Rushing Water Adventures is the first of what we hope will be many businesses that will be formed to create employment opportunities for the Djiboutian people.

Ken Gradall has a long relationship with the Horn of Africa, stretching back to the 1980’s, when he and his family spent 3-and-a-half years in Somalia working on a health development project. When he and his family returned to the USA, he worked for approximately 20 years as an environmental consultant, with specialties in hydrogeology and aquatic biology. During that time he became an avid canoe and kayak paddler, and has led numerous groups to paddle in the wilderness areas in Midwestern USA. Through all those years he has maintained his connection with the Horn of Africa.

While in Djibouti, Ken fell in love with the Gulf of Tadjoura, one of the last pristine, untouched, wilderness areas in the world. Driven by a passion to help the Djiboutian people understand what an amazing resource they have and the desire to help them preserve the Gulf, Ken started Rushing Water Adventures.

The kayaking business combines his backgrounds in geology, marine biology, business, and his love for the people and cultures of the Horn of Africa. Ken has 20+ years of experience paddling whitewater, flat water, and coastal waters. He is certified by the American Canoe Association (ACA) as a Coastal Kayaking Instructor. Both Ken and his wife Paula are certified Canoe Sprint Coaches by the International Canoe Federation (ICF). Ken is also the Technical Director of the Djibouti Rowing and Canoe Association.